Drug & supplement interaction

Bupleurum + Abrocitinib

Abrocitinib brand name: Cibinqo.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Abrocitinib falls into 2 drug categories that Bupleurum can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, bupleurum might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Bupleurum and Abrocitinib

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Bupleurum interacts with whole categories of medication. Abrocitinib falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Bupleurum in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

1 of 2

Why this applies to Abrocitinib

Abrocitinib falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS — the group Bupleurum interacts with.

Theoretically, bupleurum might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro research suggests that saikosaponins, constituents of bupleurum, can inhibit platelet aggregation.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the honest picture: the bleeding concern on file comes from lab studies where bupleurum's saikosaponins appeared to make platelets a little less sticky, so they don't clump as easily. That matters more for blood thinners. Abrocitinib (Cibinqo) isn't a true anticoagulant, but it's worth knowing that JAK inhibitors like this one can lower platelet counts on their own, especially early in treatment.

So in theory, stacking bupleurum on top could add to that bleeding tendency, think easier bruising, nosebleeds, or gums that bleed when you brush. This is theoretical and based on test-tube work, not real patients, so don't panic. Still, because your platelets are already being watched on Cibinqo, mention any bupleurum use to your pharmacist or dermatologist before combining them.

References
  1. Hattori T, Ito M, Suzuki Y. [Studies on antinephritic effects of plant components in rats (1). Effects of saikosaponins original-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats and its mechanisms]. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi 1991;97:13-21. PubMed
  2. Chang WC, Hsu FL. Inhibition of platelet activation and endothelial cell injury by flavan-3-ol and saikosaponin compounds. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1991;44:51-6. PubMed
Moderate

IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS

2 of 2

Abrocitinib also falls under IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS.

Theoretically, bupleurum might decrease the effects of immunosuppressants.
In vitro and animal research suggests that bupleurum might stimulate immune function.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the basic idea with this pairing. Abrocitinib (Cibinqo) works by calming down an overactive immune system so your eczema flares settle and the itching eases. Bupleurum, on the other hand, has shown signs in lab and animal studies of revving the immune system up. So in theory, they push in opposite directions, and the herb could chip away at how well your medication controls your skin.

I want to be honest about the strength of this, though: it comes only from test tube and animal research, not from people. We don't have real-world cases showing it happens. Still, if you notice your eczema creeping back or more itching and rash, that's worth mentioning. Bupleurum has also been tied to liver issues, so please loop in your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

References
  1. Matsumoto T, Yamada H. Regulation of immune complexes binding of macrophages by pectic polysaccharide from Bupleurum falcatum L.: pharmacological evidence for the requirement of intracellular calcium/calmodulin on Fc receptor up-regulation by bupleuran 2
  2. Kato M, Pu MY, Isobe K, et al. Characterization of the immunoregulatory action of saikosaponin-d. Cell Immunol 1994;159:15-25. PubMed
  3. Ushio Y, Oda Y, Abe H. Effect of saikosaponin on the immune responses in mice. Int J Immunopharmacol 1991;13:501-8. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Bupleurum Also Interacts With Other Medications

Bupleurum has 326 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Abrocitinib one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Bupleurum

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Bupleurum. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Abrocitinib

This page covers Bupleurum only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Abrocitinib page lists 290 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Danshen (major), Piracetam (major), Aconite (moderate) and Active Hexose Correlated Compound (ahcc) (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 252 moderate · 35 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Abrocitinib page

“Bleeding is where I'd focus first with abrocitinib (Cibinqo), an eczema pill that can itself lower platelet counts. Of the 290 supplements and herbs with an interaction on file, 202 have blood-thinning or antiplatelet activity, and two of the three major-rated entries, danshen and piracetam, sit in that group.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Abrocitinib interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Bupleurum as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 89 real supplement products containing Bupleurum, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Bupleurum. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Abrocitinib too, on top of Bupleurum — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Bupleurum and Abrocitinib Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Bupleurum
Top half

#410 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Abrocitinib
Top half

#1,308 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Bupleurum

What is Bupleurum?

Bupleurum
  • Liver and digestive support
  • Cold, flu, and fever
  • Inflammation
  • Stress and mood
  • Immune support

Bupleurum (Chai Hu) is a root used in traditional Chinese medicine, usually as part of multi-herb formulas, for liver, digestive, and fever-related complaints. High-quality human evidence for its benefits is limited, and it has been linked to lung and liver problems in some reports, so use it cautiously and only under professional guidance.

Read the full Bupleurum monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Abrocitinib

What Is Abrocitinib Used For?

Brand name: Cibinqo

Cibinqo (abrocitinib) is used to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) in adults and children 12 years of age and older. It is specifically for people whose eczema has not been adequately controlled with other systemic (whole-body) treatments, including biologics, or when those treatments are not a safe option.

Cibinqo is not recommended to be used at the same time as other JAK inhibitors, biologic immunomodulators, or other immunosuppressants (medicines that reduce immune system activity).

See full Abrocitinib drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Bupleurum

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Bupleurum — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
326Moderate
0Minor
2,503No known interaction
Moderate

326 interactions

Showing 60 of 326 moderate interactions — see all 326 on the Bupleurum page.

No interaction 2,503 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Bupleurum and Abrocitinib Together: Common Questions

Can you take Bupleurum with Abrocitinib?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Bupleurum and Abrocitinib?
Abrocitinib belongs to more than one drug category, and Bupleurum interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Bupleurum and Abrocitinib interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.